I bet your boys do love having you around! I hope my girls will, too, when they’re teenagers!

The publishing world does seem like a strange place. It still does to me in many ways, even after having a novel published. One of the things I found really helpful was finding those faculty members who are traditionally published and willing to talk about the business aspects of that world. There are many, but I adore Clint McCown and Connie May Fowler, if you’re looking for insight.

Also: some of the agents, publishers and book reviewers, and other published novelist, who come up during residencies for panels, etc, are such awesome resources. Listening to them was one of my favorite parts of residency.

Lots of good luck to you,

Katie

]]>Comment on The Choice: Deciding on a Low Residency MFA in Writing Program by Susan Berardihttp://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=252#comment-756
Susan BerardiSun, 06 Nov 2016 20:49:19 +0000http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=252#comment-756Katie,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! I know what it’s like to be a mother with young children, and you are absolutely doing the right thing by keeping them your top priority. My boys are now 20, 18 and 15, and I’m fortunate to have more time now that they’re older, but still want and love their mother around!

I can tell that my writing is getting better and better with the instruction at VCFA. I hope that I can have some success with publishing, but right now, it feels like a completely foreign world to me!

Thanks again for taking the time to respond! I wish you all the luck in your own writing endeavors.!

Susan

]]>Comment on The Choice: Deciding on a Low Residency MFA in Writing Program by scout2011http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=252#comment-755
scout2011Thu, 03 Nov 2016 17:35:25 +0000http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=252#comment-755Hi, Susan!

Congrats on VCFA! I hope you’re having an inspiring and productive first semester! Yes, not many people talk about what happens after. Maybe because, for most of us, what happens after is hard. The degree is certainly not a guarantee of anything–not a finished product, not publication, not a job. Yikes, right?

Since graduating (Summer 2014), I’ve done what I did before: I still teach as an adjunct prof, and I’m still working on the novel I worked on in the program. I’ve not applied too heavily to teaching positions (mostly because of family stuff, uncertainties about moving, etc), but the few I’ve applied to I’ve not gotten. I’m still a mama: my older daughter was two years-old when I started the program, and I had my younger daughter (now 3) during it. I fully recognize that caring for these two in the way I’ve chosen to has seriously detrimented the output of my writing, and for that matter, my job search. It’s a choice, for sure.

However, I am a reader for a literary journal I love and respect, and that connection came through my time at VCFA. I’m now considered a more fully-rounded candidate for jobs with an MFA (I wouldn’t even have been able to apply before, even with a novel out). I’m hoping that if I continue to do the work, to teach and to write, that when I’m ready for other things–when my kids are a bit older, perhaps–that those doors will open just a bit wider.

You’re right: the cost is significant. I, in my heart of hearts, feel that the connections I made at VCFA (friends and faculty), the things I learned and the ways in which the mentorships I enjoyed opened up my writing, are priceless. But, so far, that “pricelessness” isn’t helping my bank account one bit.

I plan to work hard, and have hope.

I’m sure there are other grads who feel differently, and who are finding MUCH more traditional success than I have so far! Being a mom has truly taken over the focus of my life since graduating.

Feel free to email me any time at thewritingscott at gmail dot com. The very best of luck to you! I’m jealous of the winter residency: I love it up there in the snow!

Katie

]]>Comment on The Choice: Deciding on a Low Residency MFA in Writing Program by Susan Berardihttp://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=252#comment-754
Susan BerardiTue, 25 Oct 2016 19:26:23 +0000http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=252#comment-754Hi, Katherine!
Thank you for this insightful story of your journey! I’d love to hear about what you’ve been doing since you graduated from VCFA. I am a first-semester student there, and while the learning is wonderful, I need to consider what happens after the degree. It’s hard because most people don’t talk about that–it’s all about the journey. As you know, the cost is significant, so I’d like to have an idea if there are jobs afterward or if we should be prepared for the “starving artist” type of lifestyle.

Thank you again for your thoroughness and candid observations. They have been extremely helpful and encouraging!

]]>Comment on New column: “Why we put out our flags” by Kent A. Foxhttp://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=2808#comment-753
Kent A. FoxFri, 02 Sep 2016 00:34:37 +0000http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=2808#comment-753“Sign of the Times” : when a six-year old child asks why the flag is flying “…on top of the flag pole instead of the middle”!
]]>Comment on The Choice: Deciding on a Low Residency MFA in Writing Program by scout2011http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=252#comment-752
scout2011Wed, 22 Jun 2016 13:13:47 +0000http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=252#comment-752I’m so glad to hear it! I keep thinking that if I can get my life together, I need to do a series of posts about the experience, what life has been like after, etc. Some day. I really do wish you the best on your search–if it’s what you want, there’s a great program out there waiting!
]]>Comment on The Choice: Deciding on a Low Residency MFA in Writing Program by MNMeditationshttp://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=252#comment-751
MNMeditationsWed, 22 Jun 2016 02:52:00 +0000http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=252#comment-751Thanks so much for this detailed explanation of your MFA decision making process! I’ve been tossing this idea around for years…eight to be exact. It’s always comforting to know I’m not alone in wondering what to do and where to go, or if to go, etc.!

I literally googled “lesley university versus vermont college of fine arts.” And I found your post. Still lots of thoughts to consider, but your helpful post will definitely make a difference as I weigh options.

]]>Comment on New column: “Approaching June with realism and hope” by Tim Suddethhttp://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=2791#comment-750
Tim SuddethFri, 17 Jun 2016 19:23:34 +0000http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?p=2791#comment-750I liked your article. Please never stop dreaming, even for that perfect June. One day it will surprise you.
]]>Comment on Events 2016 by Tom McCrary Jr.http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?page_id=2678#comment-749
Tom McCrary Jr.Thu, 09 Jun 2016 18:47:16 +0000http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?page_id=2678#comment-749Thanks for the quick reply. I will check with them. Tom
]]>Comment on Events 2016 by scout2011http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?page_id=2678#comment-748
scout2011Thu, 09 Jun 2016 18:32:55 +0000http://katherinescottcrawford.com/?page_id=2678#comment-748I’m not sure, Tom. I believe the Connestee folks reached out to Brevard College to arrange for speakers for the series, and that’s how I was chosen to speak. Probably a good idea would be to contact someone at Connestee… maybe through the main office? Sorry I can’t help more.
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